Buns & Roses WI

November workshop - Dawn of the Thread (Felt Zombies)

Sunday, 6 November 2011 § 1

Our November workshop was Dawn of the Thread and we spent the evening making felt zombies.

They were scary little fellas, not only because of their dangly eyes and exploding brains, but also because of their fiddly-ness and use of tiny beads!

Still, all the girls battled on with the nightmare that is the beading needle and everyone had something to show for their time.

It all looks a bit chaotic with various bits of felt, thread and beads lying around!

There was lots of intricate work and concentrating faces.

And this is how they turned out. Scary!

Radiothread - October meeting

Sunday, 23 October 2011 § 0

October's meeting was Radiothread, and it was a general session for people to come along and work on their current craft projects.

We're pleased to report that we gained 12 new members, with lots of people taking advantage of signing up for 2012 early to get the rest of this year free. Thanks for being part of our WI group!

As well as enjoying a drink, a natter and some crafting, Suzanne from Potterdoodle brought our teacups and saucers that we had painted earlier in the month.

They look absolutely stunning now they have been fired and glazed. Drinking tea will never be the same again!

Buns & Roses WI at the Morley Literature Festival

Sunday, 16 October 2011 § 0

Last weekend we were at the Morley Literature Festival, serving up tea and cake at the request of organiser Jenny.

Hayley spent all of Friday making more than 70 cupcakes and chocolate brownies. Gemma helped by choosing sprinkles, licking the bowls and making labels.

Helen and Gloria did a marvellous job serving tea to the participants. Don't they look good in their pinnys!

Hayley and Gemma manned the craft stall.

The focus for the afternoon's session was jewellery company Tatty Devine. On the left is one of our very own Roses Elly , who was the host for the interview.

The cakes went down very well and we made lots of new friends.

Find out more about those involved:

Morley Literature Festival Tatty Devine EBS Jewellery

Cuptown Girl - October workshop

Sunday, 9 October 2011 § 0

Our October workshop was aptly entitled Cuptown Girl, as we were painting our very own teacups and saucers!

Suzanne from Potterdoodle brought all the equipment along and gave us some excellent tips on how to get the best results.

Everyone was raring to go as soon as they saw the paints in front of them - we became giggly schoolgirls but fortunately didn't make too much mess (plastic aprons were a very good idea!).

Sam and Jenn were particularly excitable.

Here's Jen very carefully making a polka dot cup. She even drew round the paint pot to make sure the circles were neat!

Note the look of concentration on everyone's faces!

There were many stunning designs and all the girls really got stuck in. Not only did we have free reign with the paints, but Suzanne brought loads of stamps and stencils to get the creativity flowing as well.

The cups and saucers have now been taken for Suzanne to fire and glaze, and we will have them back at our meeting later this month looking all bright and shiny. Not sure that tea will be the first thing drunk from them though, considering the excellent bar at the Cosmopolitan ...

If you want to paint your own teacup and saucer, or other crockery, give Suzanne a shout. You can find info at Potterdoodle.

Buns & Roses on TV!

Thursday, 29 September 2011 § 1

Yes, you heard right, the crazy people at the BBC are going to let Buns & Roses Women's Institute on the telly box!

For your viewing pleasure, Treasurer Hayley and President Gemma took part in filming for a new series called Britain's Favourite Foods.

On a rare dry day in Manchester, they joined forces with fellow WI members from both sides of the Pennines, as well as presenter Cherry Healey and scientist Dr Tim Bond to find out why tea is so bloomin' marvellous.

Here are our lovely ladies. Both had starring roles in the show doing what they do best - Hayley had to hold a sign very straight and Gemma had to make lots of brews!

There were many cups of tea poured and drank, and a very scientific experiment to discover more about tea.

We can't reveal any more details, but we'll let you know when the programme is on so you can record it!

September meeting - And Out Come the Wools

Tuesday, 20 September 2011 § 0

Our September meeting was And Out Come The Wools, and it was the first meeting in our new venue.

We're delighted to say everyone loved the Cosmopolitan Hotel and we were joined by lots of new people, which is always a good thing!

As well as the usual business and crafting, several of our members were sharing their talents in our Skills Swap Speed Dating sessions.

Liz showed us how to do encaustic art, using wax and an iron.

Jenn and Lucy helped people make Origami boxes - perfect for keeping pins or sweeties in!

Lyssie shared her amazing knitting expertise.

And Gloria told us how to blag about wine as if we really knew what we are talking about!

There was plenty of crafting going on as well, and cross stitch seemed to be the theme of the night. Check out these beautiful projects.

Slipknit - Knit a Cake

Monday, 5 September 2011 § 0

Our September workshop was called Slipknit - Knit a Cake and we had the fabulous Siobhan teaching us how to make calorie-free cakes!

Here she is with some of her creations, and a few made by Hayley and Helen Doyle too.

Don't they look fab?!

The girls soon got stuck in. We had a mix of experienced knitters and some complete beginners and everyone got on very well thanks to Siobhan's expert guidance and the advice from her helpers.

Here's Helen pulling a silly face while she explains the intracacies of knitting!

It's not too bad once you get into the rhythm!

Several people managed to get their cakes completely finished, and most others weren't far off.

You may have also noticed the different background - that's because we are now in our new venue! It's beautiful and we can't wait for everyone else to see it at our meeting next week.